Disk play-back device

ABSTRACT

A connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using three pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures compared to integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a disk playback device. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a disk playback devicewherein the depth dimension of the device is reduced

[0002] There has been a greater demand for disk playback devices withsmaller depth dimensions, especially for automotive in-dash diskchangers attached to a dashboard of an automobile. Therefore, thereclearly is a need to reduce the depth dimension of devices by allowing adisk being played back to overlap, when viewed from above, with disks ina storage position. In addition, the depth dimension should be furtherreduced by reassessing the shapes and structures of individual parts.

[0003] Conventional devices have an internal layout where a storingmember, which holds disks by supporting the edges of disks, is disposedat the very back of the device. The depth dimension of the device canthen be reduced by positioning the rear panel of the device as close aspossible to the rearmost section of the disks held in the storingmember.

[0004] In this case, the storing member must support the disk edges overan appropriate angular range. Thus, the storing member is interposedbetween the rearmost section of the disks stored in the storing memberand the rear panel. The width of the storing member at its rearmostsection must be reduced as much as possible.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a diskplayback device which overcomes the foregoing problems.

[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a diskplayback device wherein the overall depth dimension is significantlyreduced.

[0007] Briefly stated, the present invention provides a connectingmember connecting a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holderplates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk isinserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using threepieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures comparedto integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member onlyserves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shapedconnecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disksheld toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized,thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a disk playback device equipped with a disk holding devicecomprising first and second holder plates for supporting a disk edgealong an appropriate angular range, a connecting member connecting thefirst and second holder plates at far ends of a direction of diskinsertion, and conveying means engaging with each of the first andsecond holder plates, thereby allowing the first and second holderplates to move perpendicular to a recording surface of the disk andparallel to each other.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention there isprovided a disk playback device equipped with a disk holding devicecomprising a plurality of drive pulleys conveying the disk between adisk insertion/removal position and a disk playback position by engagingwith an edge of the disk, at least two of the plurality engaging withthe edge of the disk when the disk is brought to the disk playbackposition, guiding means supporting the disk between the guiding meansand the plurality of drive pulleys, and pulley/guide driving meansmoving the plurality of drive pulleys and the guiding means close to andaway from each other.

[0010] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, thereis provided a disk playback device comprising conveying means, forconveying a disk between an insertion/removal position and a playbackposition by supporting an edge of the disk from either side, theconveying means being movable away from the disk when the disk is beingplayed back, a turntable rotating the disk, a damper clamping the diskto the turntable, a clamp arm extending roughly perpendicular to thedisk conveyance direction rotatably supporting the clamper, the clamparm having a bend, whereby when the conveying means is moved away fromthe disk, at least a section of the clamp arm overlapping with the diskconveying means is separated by a greater distance than other sectionsof the clamp arm.

[0011] According to a feature of the present invention, there isprovided a disk playback device, holding a plurality of disks andconveying a selected disk from a holding position to a playback positionto play back the selected disk, comprising first and second lockingmembers passing through center holes of the plurality of diskspositioned at the holding position, a lock arm pivotably supported byone of the first and second of locking members, and the lock armpivoting to close a gap formed between the first and second lockingmembers.

[0012] According to another feature of the present invention, there isprovided a disk playback device comprising first and second conveyingmeans for conveying recording media supporting a recording medium fromeither side, the first and second conveying means conveying therecording medium inserted from a recording media insertion opening to apredetermined position, a driving mechanism, driving at least one of thefirst and second conveying means so that the first and second conveyingmeans move close to and away from each other, detecting means fordetecting a gap between the first and second conveying means isincreased due to insertion of the recording medium between the first andsecond conveying means, and controlling means for controlling thedriving mechanism to drive the first and second conveying means inresponse to the detecting means, whereby the first and second conveyingmeans move to increase a gap between the first and second conveyingmeans.

[0013] According to a further feature of the present invention, there isprovided a disk playback device comprising a plurality of drive rollersabutting a recording medium inserted from a recording media insertionopening, the plurality conveying the recording medium to a predeterminedposition, driving means for rotating the plurality, supporting means formovably supporting a single drive roller, belonging to said plurality ofdrive rollers, disposed toward the recording media insertion opening,relative to the remainder of the plurality of drive rollers, anddetecting means for detecting a movement of the single drive rollertoward the recording media insertion opening accompanying insertion ofthe recording medium into the recording medium insertion opening.

[0014] According to still another feature of the present invention,there is provided a disk playback device equipped with a disk conveyingdevice comprising a plurality of drive pulleys conveying a recordingmedium by abutting an edge of the recording medium, a guide member,disposed facing the plurality of drive pulleys, supporting the edge ofthe recording medium wherein the recording medium is interposed betweenthe guide member and the plurality of drive pulleys, and a drive member,disposed roughly co-planar with a conveyance plane of the recordingmedium conveyed by the plurality of drive pulleys, rotating theplurality of drive pulleys by abutting each of the plurality of drivepulleys.

[0015] A disk playback device of the present invention includes a pairof disk holders which supports an edge of a disk along an appropriateangular range. A connecting member, connecting the pair of disk holderstoward the recessed end of the direction in which the disk is insertedinto the disk holder. Additionally, the disk playback device of thepresent invention includes means for conveying, engaging with each ofthe pair of disk holders, thereby conveying the disk holdersperpendicular to a recording surface of the disk.

[0016] The above, and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following descriptionread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which likereference numerals designate the same elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic plan drawing of a disk playback device in astate where a disk can be loaded.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a schematic plan drawing of a disk playback device in astate where a disk is inserted.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a schematic plan drawing of a disk playback device in astate where a disk has been brought to a playback position.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a schematic plan drawing of a disk playback device in adisk playback state.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a schematic plan drawing of a disk playback device in astate where a disk has been brought to a holding position.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a schematic plan drawing of a disk playback device in astate where a disk can be selected.

[0023]FIG. 7 is a front-view drawing of the disk playback device of FIG.1.

[0024]FIG. 8 is a front-view drawing of the disk playback device of FIG.3.

[0025]FIG. 9 is a front-view drawing of the disk playback device of FIG.4.

[0026]FIG. 10 is a side-view drawing of a screw shaft in a state where adisk holder 11 is selected.

[0027]FIG. 11 is a side-view drawing of a screw shaft in a state where adisk holder 14 is selected.

[0028]FIG. 12 is a side-view drawing of a screw shaft in a state where adisk holder 16 is selected.

[0029]FIG. 13 is a schematic plan drawing for the purpose of describingthe structure of slide plates according to the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 14 is a schematic plan drawing for the purpose of describingthe structure of slide plates according to the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 15 is a side-view drawing of a disk lock mechanism in anunlocked state.

[0032]FIG. 16 is a front-view drawing of the disk lock mechanism of FIG.15.

[0033]FIG. 17 is a cross-section drawing along the H-H line of FIG. 15.

[0034]FIG. 18 is a cross-section drawing along the J-J line of FIG. 15.

[0035]FIG. 19 is a side-view drawing of a disk lock mechanism in alocked state.

[0036]FIG. 20 is a perspective drawing of a disk lock mechanism in anunlocked state.

[0037]FIG. 21 is a perspective drawing of a disk lock mechanism in alocked state.

[0038]FIG. 22 is a schematic circuit drawing of a disk playback deviceaccording to the present invention.

[0039]FIG. 23 is a cross-section drawing of a disk holder.

[0040]FIG. 24 is a cross-section drawing of a drive pulley.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] Referring to the figures, the following is a description of anembodiment implementing the present invention.

[0042] Disk Holder

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic plan drawing of a changer-typedisk playback device 1, capable of holding six disks, is shown. FIG. 1shows an initial state where no disks are stored. Toward the rear ofdevice 1, disk holders 11-16 (only uppermost disk holder 16 is shown)are stacked to support the edges of 12 cm disks. The support on disksprovided by disk holders 11-16 is only applied to the edges of thedisks. Thus, even if a disk is damaged due to contact with disk holders11-16, the influence on the information recorded on the disk isminimized.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 23, there is shown a lateral cross-sectiondrawing of disk holder 11. The following is a description of thestructure of disk holder 11. Disk holder 11 is formed as a three-piecestructure. Left and right holder plates 19 and 20 are molded from resin.A connecting bar 21 connects holder plates 19 and 20. Holder plates 19and 20 are formed with disk supports 32, having square, C-shapedcross-sections and extending across a predetermined angular range. Disksupports 32 support the edge of a disk.

[0045] Holes 17 and 18 are on holder plates 19 and 20. Engagement pins22 are projections inside holes 17 and 18. Referring back to FIG. 1,engagement pins 22 fit into cam grooves 33 on screw shafts 30, to bedescribed later, in order to move disk holders 11-16 in the directionperpendicular to the plane of the drawing. If disk holder 11 thermallyexpands, holder plates 19 and 20 will expand longitudinally along thelines connecting holes 17 and 18. To absorb this expansion, hole 17 isformed as an oval, slightly larger along this longitudinal direction.Other disk holders 12-16 are formed with the same structure as diskholder 11.

[0046] The arrows F-G extend along the depth direction of disk playbackdevice 1. In order to provide compactness in the F-G direction, it isimportant to reduce, as much as possible, the distance between therearmost end of disk playback device 1 and the end of the diskssupported by disk holders 11-16 in the direction of the arrow F. In thisembodiment, connecting bar 21, which connects holder plates 19 and 20,can perform its function adequately with a diameter of about 1 mm. Thiscontributes toward a reduced depth dimension for disk playback device 1.Also, since the support on the disks is divided up between holder plates19 and 20, there is less deformation accompanying higher temperaturescompared with an integral structure.

[0047] Screw Shaft

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 10 through 12, there are shown side-viewdrawings of screw shaft 30. In FIG. 10, first disk holder 11 isselected. In FIG. 11, fourth disk holder 14 is selected. In FIG. 12,sixth disk holder 16 is selected. The surface of the cylindrical screwshaft 30 is formed with a single cam groove 33, into which engagementpin 22 is inserted. A spur gear 34 is formed on the bottom end of eachof screw shafts 30 to mesh with an appropriate screw shaft drivemechanism 82, formed from a motor, a reduction gear mechanism, and thelike. This structure controls the direction and position of the rotationof screw shaft 30. The four spur gears 34 are connected by a connectingmechanism, not shown in the drawings, so that they are rotated in thesame direction and with the same rotation angle.

[0049] Disk Driving Mechanism

[0050] Referring again to FIG. 1, a disk driving mechanism 40, formedfrom a plurality of drive rollers or the like, is disposed on the leftside, and a guide member 50 is disposed on the right side so that a diskcan be supported between disk driving mechanism 40 and guide member 50.Disk driving mechanism 40 and guide member 50 serve as disk conveyingmeans to convey a disk inserted from an opening (not shown in thefigure) formed on a front panel 2 of device 1 to either a playbackposition or disk holders 11-16.

[0051] Disk driving mechanism 40 includes four drive rollers 41-44disposed along the disk conveyance direction, each with grooves tosupport the edge of the disk with its perimeter surface. Drive roller 41rotates around a shaft 36 and is rotatably supported on a roller supportplate 48, which is pulled in a counter-clockwise direction. When a diskis inserted between drive roller 41 and guide member 50, roller supportplate 48 rotates clockwise in opposition to the pulling force. Apotentiometer 49 is disposed to detect this rotation position and therotation speed. A gear (not shown in the figure) is disposed on arotation shaft 37 of potentiometer 49. This gear meshes with a gear 35formed on roller support plate 48.

[0052] Drive rollers 42-44 are rotatably supported by rotation shafts23-25, respectively, and are rotatably supported on roller arms 45-47,which are pulled in the clockwise direction. A first timing belt 26,preferably having teeth on the inside, is used to drive drive rollers42-44. Timing belt 26 extends across the following parts in the ordershown: pulleys 171 and 172, drive roller 44, a pulley 29 attachedco-axially with rotation shaft 25 of roller arm 47, drive roller 43, apulley 28 attached co-axially with rotation shaft 24 of roller arm 46,drive roller 42, a pulley 27 attached co-axially with rotation shaft 23of roller arm 45, a tension pulley 173 pivotable to the positionindicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 1, a pulley 174 with a rotationaxis that serves as the pivot axis for tension pulley 173, and pulley171. Tension pulley 173 serves to keep the tension of timing belt 26constant. Timing belt 26 is positioned along the same plane as the planeon which the disk driven by drive rollers 42-44 is conveyed.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 24, there is shown a cross- section drawing ofdrive roller 42 when a disk 101 is abutting drive roller 42. The outerperimeter of timing belt 26 abuts drive roller 42 at a section oppositefrom where drive roller 42 abuts the disk. This causes drive roller 42to rotate. With this structure, there is no need to provide a gear orthe like to drive roller 42 on a plane different from the plane at whichdrive roller 42 abuts disk 101. Thus, the height dimension of the diskdriving mechanism 40 is reduced. A rubber ring 59 is disposed on drivepulleys 42-44 in order to improve the friction between disk 101 andtiming belt 26.

[0054] Drive rollers 42-44, which convey the disk by pressing againstthe edge of the disk, are driven by first timing belt 26. A secondtiming belt 76, preferably having teeth on the inside, is disposed todrive drive roller 41 and timing belt 26.

[0055] Second timing belt 76 is disposed on a main chassis 4 and isrotated in both forward and reverse directions by a drive pulley 175.Drive pulley 175 is rotated by a belt driving mechanism 84 disposed on amain chassis 4 and formed from a motor, a reduction gear mechanism, andthe like. Second timing belt 76 is wrapped around drive pulley 175 at apredetermined angle. Pulleys 176 and 177 are disposed on either side ofdrive pulley 175. Second timing belt 76 extends across drive pulley 175,pulleys 177, 178, 179 and 180, a pulley 181 attached co-axial to axis 36of roller support plate 48, pulleys 174, 182, 183, 176, and back todrive pulley 175. Pulley 174 is formed from two co-axial pulleys, withfirst timing belt 26 and second timing belt 76 being disposed ondifferent planes.

[0056] Guide member 50, formed with a square, C-shaped cross-section tosupport the edge of the disk, extends along the disk conveyancedirection. Disk driving mechanism 40 and guide members 50 are displacedparallel to each other along the direction of the arrows, D-E in FIG. 1,due to a connecting mechanism, to be described later. When guide member50 is moved an appropriate distance in the direction of arrow E, diskdriving mechanism 40 moves the same distance in the direction of arrowD.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 13, projections 54 and 55 are formed atpositions equidistant from the contact point between guide member 50 andthe disk when the disk has been brought to the playback position. Driverollers 43 and 44 are also positioned in a similar manner equidistantfrom this playback position. Thus, when the disk is at the playbackposition, it is supported in a stable manner by projections 54 and 55and driver rollers 43 and 44. The actuators of detector switches 56 and57 project at the ends of projections 54 and 55 in order to detect whenthe disk has been brought to the playback position.

[0058] A linking mechanism allows disk driving mechanism 40 and guidemember 50 to move along the direction of the D-E arrows. The figureshows the standby state from FIG. 1.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown a plan drawing of thelinking mechanism connecting disk drive mechanism 40 and guide member 50in the playback state.

[0060] A first slide plate 111 is guided to allow parallel displacementrelative to main chassis 4 along the D-E arrows. First slide plate 111supports roller arms 45-47, which rotatably support drive rollers 42-44,roller support plate 48, and pulleys 171-174, across which first timingbelt 26 extends. First slide plate 111 also supports pulleys 178-180,182 and 183, across which second timing belt 76 extends. First slideplate 111 has a rack 117 meshing with a pinion gear 118, which isrotated by a slide plate driving mechanism 85 formed from a motor, areduction gear, and the like.

[0061] A second slide plate 121 supports a guide member 50 and is guidedto allow parallel movement relative to main chassis 4 along the D-Earrows. Second slide plate 121 has a rack 127 meshing with a pinion gear118. When slide plate driving mechanism 85 rotates pinion gear 118counter-clockwise, disk driving mechanism 40, supported by the slideplate 111, moves in the direction of the arrow D. Meanwhile, guidemember 50, supported by slide plate 121, moves in the direction of thearrow E.

[0062] Drive pulley 175 and pulleys 176 and 177, which are adjacent todrive pulley 175, are supported by main chassis 4 so that they areunaffected by the movement of first slide plate 111. Pulleys 175-177 arepositioned to be at the same height as the other pulleys through anopening 119 formed on first slide plate 111. Thus, if first slide plate111, which supports drive rollers 41-44 serving as the driven members,is moved in the direction of the arrows D-E, drive pulley 175 will movein the direction of the arrows D-E between pulley 178 and pulley 183.Thus, a drive source for driving the driven member disposed on themovable member is disposed on the fixed member.

[0063] By detecting the position of first slide plate 111, the diameterof the disk being loaded is determined. To achieve this, a slide volume135 is disposed on main chassis 4, and an actuator 136 is attached tofirst slide plate 111.

[0064] Slide volume 135 detects the following positions: the position offirst slide plate 111 in the standby state, allowing disk loading, asshown in FIG. 1, where the distance between disk driving mechanism 40and guide member 50 is no more than the diameter of an 8 cm disk; theposition of first slide plate 111 when an 8 cm disk is completelysupported between disk driving mechanism 40 and guide member 50; and theposition of first slide plate 111, as shown in FIG. 4, where diskdriving mechanism 40 and guide member 50 are moved away from disk 101.

[0065] Disk Playback Mechanism

[0066] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a front-view drawingcorresponding to FIG. 1. A spindle motor 62, disposed on a mechanicschassis 63, rotates a turntable 61 on which a disk is mounted. A clamper71 is rotatably supported by a damper arm 72 so that it can clamp a diskonto turntable 61. Clamper arm 72 is pivotably supported to mechanicschassis 63 by a shaft 73. Clamper 71 can move toward and away fromturntable 61. Clamper arm 72 has a bend 74.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 9, when guide member 50 is moved to a positionaway from the disk to allow the disk to be played back, an adequatedistance is formed between guide member 50 and damper arm 72.

[0068] A feed screw 65 is rotated by an appropriate motor (not shown inthe figure). An optical pickup 66 is disposed on mechanics chassis 63 sothat it can move along the radius of the disk when feed screw 65rotates. Information recorded on the disk is played back by applying alaser from optical pickup 66 to the disk while rotating the disk usingspindle motor 62, and then reading the reflected light. Playback meansis formed from at least turntable 61 and optical pickup 66.

[0069] A guide rail 67 is disposed on mechanics chassis 63 so thatoptical pickup 66 is guided to move along the direction of the D-Earrows shown in FIG. 1. Mechanics chassis 63 moves along a guide groove92, disposed on base chassis 3, in the direction of the F-G arrows shownin FIG. 1 by a mechanics chassis driving mechanism 86 formed from amotor and the like. For clamp operations, mechanics chassis 63 can alsomove perpendicular to the disk recording surface. In these clampoperations, when mechanics chassis 63 is moving toward the recordingsurface of the disk, a connecting mechanism (not shown in the figure)causes damper arm 72 to pivot around shaft 73 so that it approachesturntable 61. Thus, when the disk is being played back, the disk rotateson the same plane as the plane along which it is conveyed by diskdriving mechanism 40.

[0070] Base chassis 3 is elastically supported by main chassis 4 by adamper 91. Disk driving mechanism 40 and guide member 50 are movablysupported on main chassis 4. Screw shaft 30, supporting disk holders11-16 so that they can move vertically, is rotatably supported on mainchassis 4. Thus, disk holders 11-16 and disk conveying means, formedfrom disk driving mechanism 40, and guide member 50, are supported indevice 1 without the involvement of damper 91.

[0071] Disk Locking Mechanism

[0072] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 15-21, in order to prevent thedisks held in disk holders 11-16 from coming out in the direction of thearrow G, a disk locking mechanism 140, inserted into the center openingsof the disks, is disposed on main chassis 4. Disk locking mechanism 140will be described below. The unlocked state is shown in FIG. 15 and FIG.16, which are a side-view drawing and a front-view drawing, as well asFIG. 17 and FIG. 18, which are a cross-section drawing along the H-Hline and a cross-section drawing along the J-J line. The locked state isshown in FIG. 19, which is a side-view drawing. And the unlocked andlocked states are shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, which are perspectivedrawings.

[0073] An upper lock bracket 141, disposed above the disk conveyanceplane, is formed from an attachment section 142 used for attachment to achassis (not shown in the figure) and a disk lock section 143. A cavity144 is formed on disk lock section 143 to receive a locking arm, to bedescribed later.

[0074] A lower lock bracket 151, disposed below the disk conveyanceplane, is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape, within which a disklock nut 153 is disposed so that it can move along the directionindicated by the arrows B-C. A cylindrical hole 154 is at the centersection of disk lock nut 153. A helical ridge projection (not shown inthe figure) is on the surface of hole 154. A cam shaft 156 has a cavitygroove 155 on the surface thereof in order to engage with the projectingridge and move disk lock nut 153 vertically. A spur gear 157 is on thelower section of cam shaft 156. Spur gear 157 is exposed by cutting awaya section of attachment section 152 of lower lock bracket 151.

[0075] A disk lock arm 159 is pivotably supported by a shaft 158 abovelower lock bracket 151. Disk lock arm 159 connects to disk lock nut 153by a pin 160.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 16, shaft 158 is parallel to the arrows D-E,i.e., the conveyance plane of disk 101, and is oriented perpendicular tothe conveyance direction of disk 101 within device 1.

[0077] When spur gear 157 rotates clockwise by a lock arm drivingmechanism 87 formed from a motor, a reduction gear, and the like, theengagement between cavity groove 155, formed on cam shaft 156, and theprojecting ridge of disk lock nut 153 move disk lock nut 153 in thedirection of the arrow B.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 15, this movement causes disk lock arm 159 topivot 90 degrees counter-clockwise around shaft 158, closing the gapformed at the disk conveyance plane between upper lock bracket 141 andlower lock bracket 151. Upper lock bracket 141 is inserted into thecenter openings of the disks positioned above the disk aligned with thedisk conveyance plane, while lower lock bracket 151 is inserted in thecenter openings of the lower disks, thus preventing the disks held indisk holders 11-16 from coming out.

[0079] Circuit Structure

[0080] Referring to FIG. 22, there is shown a circuit diagram of themain elements in device 1. Using optical pickup 66, a laser is appliedto disk 101, rotates at a predetermined speed by spindle motor 62. Aplayback signal obtained from the reflected light is amplified by an RFamp 161 and is then sent to a signal processing circuit 162. Signalprocessing circuit 162 performs appropriate signal processing on theplayback signal, such as demodulation and error correction. The signalis then converted to an analog signal by a D/A converter 163 and isoutput from an output terminal 164.

[0081] The playback signal is sent to a servo circuit 165 so that focusservo and tracking servo operations are performed on optical pickup 66and so that spindle motor 62 rotates at an appropriate speed.

[0082] A microprocessor 166, controlling operations of device 1,controls signal processing circuit 162 and servo circuit 165.Microprocessor 166 also controls the various operations of screw shaftdriving mechanism 82, belt driving mechanism 84, slide plate drivingmechanism 85, mechanics chassis driving mechanism 86, and lock armdriving mechanism 87, described above.

[0083] Description of Operations

[0084] The following is a description of the operations performed in thestructure described above when disk 101 having a 12 cm diameter isinserted into device 1.

[0085] Referring to FIGS. 1, 7, 13, in the loading standby state where adisk can be inserted, the distance between guide member 50 and firstdriving roller 41 closest to front panel 2 is set to be slightly smallerthan the diameter of an 8 cm disk.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 10, in this standby state disk holder 11 isaligned with the disk conveyance plane. Disk 101 is inserted through theopening (not shown in the figure) formed on front panel 2.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 2, disk 101 causes support plate 48, supportingdrive roller 41, to pivot clockwise around shaft 36, moving against thepulling force on support plate 48. This causes gear 35 of support plate48 to rotate rotation shaft 37 of potentiometer 49. This is accompaniedby a change in the resistance of potentiometer 49, allowing device 1 todetect that disk 101 is inserted.

[0088] When insertion of disk 101 is detected, belt driving mechanism 84rotates drive pulley 175 clockwise. As a result, drive belt 76 rotatesconnected pulleys 178, 179, 181, 174 and 183 clockwise and pulleys 177,180, 182 and 176 counter-clockwise. Thus, drive roller 41, which mesheswith pulley 181, rotates counter-clockwise.

[0089] The clockwise rotation of pulley 174 causes drive belt 26 torotate connected pulleys 171, 172,29,28 and 27 clockwise and driverollers 42-44, and pulley 173 counter-clockwise. The counter-clockwiserotation of drive rollers 41-44 causes disk 101, supported between therollers and guide member 50, to be conveyed in the direction of thearrow F.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 13, slide plate driving mechanism 85 rotatespinion gear 118 counter-clockwise based on instructions frommicroprocessor 166. As a result, first slide plate 111 moves in thedirection of the arrow D and second slide plate 121 moves in thedirection of the arrow E while staying parallel to each other.

[0091] Potentiometer 49 detects movement of drive roller 41 in order todetect insertion of disk 101. Thus, if a disk inserted into device 1 isoff-center to the right and does not abut drive roller 41, slide platedriving mechanism 85 will not activate. To eliminate this problem, it ispossible to provide a detector switch or the like, on guide member 50,in order to detect contact with disk 101. The two detection elementscould then work together for the control operations of slide platedriving mechanism 85.

[0092] Slide plate driving mechanism 85 moves first slide plate 111 andsecond slide plate 121 away from each other. This causes roller supportplate 48, which was pivoted clockwise by disk 101, to rotatecounter-clockwise. When this change in the opposite direction isdetected by potentiometer 49, slide plate driving mechanism 85 rotatespinion gear 118 clockwise so that first slide plate 111 and second slideplate 121 move toward disk 101.

[0093] With these control operations, when disk 101 is inserted intodevice 1, disk driving mechanism 40 and guide member 50 move away fromeach other by slide plate driving mechanism 85. Thus, it is not theuser's disk insertion force that moves disk driving mechanism 40 andguide member 50 apart. Instead, control operations are performed so thatdisk driving mechanism 40 and guide member 50 move away from each otherwhen a disk is inserted into device 1. Thus, a disk can be loaded withlittle insertion force.

[0094] Furthermore, when disk 101 is inserted, disk 101 will becompletely inserted between disk driving mechanism 40 and guide member50 so that the positions of first and second slide plates 111 and 121stay fixed. By detecting the position of slide plate 111 using slidevolume 135, microprocessor 166 recognizes the inserted disk 101 as a 12cm disk. Then, slide plate driving mechanism 85 rotates pinion gear 118clockwise so that, during disk loading, disk 101 is conveyed in thedirection of the arrow F while disk 101 is supported in a stable mannerwith a predetermined supporting pressure between disk driving mechanism40 and guide member 50.

[0095] During this loading operation, disk 101 passes driving rollers 42and 43 and is conveyed to the playback position. When passing theserollers, first and second slide plates 111 and 121 maintain theirpositions while roller arms 45 and 46, which support drive rollers 42and 43 pivot counter-clockwise against pulling forces. When roller arms45 and 46 pivot, tension pulley 173 pivots clockwise around the rotationaxis of pulley 174, thus maintaining a fixed tension for timing belt 26.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 7, disk driving mechanism 40 and guide member50 are movably supported on main chassis 4. Thus, when disk 101 isinserted, the user can obtain a hard insertion “feel” that is unaffectedby damper 91.

[0097] The rotation of drive rollers 41-44 cause disk 101 to move in thedirection of the arrow F toward the playback position. The actuators ofdetector switches 56 and 57 are pressed by the edge of disk 101, anddisk 101 is conveyed to the playback position where both detectorswitches 56 and 57 are on. At this playback position, disk 101 is not incontact with disk holder 11, which is positioned at the same height.

[0098] Next, mechanics chassis driving mechanism 86 causes mechanicschassis 63 and damper 71 to approach each other toward disk 101. Thiscauses disk 101 to be clamped between turntable 61 and damper 71.

[0099] Then, slide plate driving mechanism 85 moves disk drivingmechanism 40 and guide member 50 in the direction of the arrow D and thearrow E respectively, thus causing them to move away from disk 101.Then, disk 101 rotates at an appropriate speed. This playback state isshown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 9, which is a front-view drawing thereof. Thisplayback position is at the same height as the conveyance plane of disk101.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 7, 8 and 9, clamp arm 72 is supported bymechanics chassis 63, which is supported on damper 91. Guide member 50is supported on main chassis 4. In the playback state, vibration willcause clamp arm 72 to move, but adequate space is provided between clamparm 72 and guide member 50. Thus, since clamp arm 72, past bend 74, canbe close to disk 101, the height of the device is reduced.

[0101] The following is a description of how disk 101 is stored in diskholder 11 after playback of disk 101 is completed, and how a differentdisk is stored in fourth disk holder 14. After playback of disk 101 iscompleted, slide plate driving mechanism 85 moves disk driving mechanism40 and guide member 50 in the direction of the arrow E and the arrow Drespectively, thus placing disk 101 between drive rollers 43 and 44 andguide member 50. Then, mechanics chassis driving mechanism 86 movesmechanics chassis 63 and damper 71 away from each other and disk 101,thus releasing the clamped state of disk 101.

[0102] Then, roller driving mechanism 84 rotates drive rollers 41-44counter-clockwise, thus moving disk 101 in the direction of the arrow F,and disk 101 is inserted into disk holder 11. Then, slide plate drivingmechanism 85 moves disk driving mechanism 40 and guide member 50 awayfrom each other.

[0103] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 14, first and second slide plate 111 and121 are moved to positions where drive roller 44 and guide member 50 aremoved away from disk 101, as shown in the figures.

[0104] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 20, after disk 101 is stored in diskholder 11, lock arm driving mechanism 87 rotates spur gear 157 clockwiseand moves disk lock nut 153, engaged with cam shaft 156, in thedirection of the arrow B. This rotation causes disk lock arm 159 topivot 90 degrees counter-clockwise around shaft 158. The end of disklock arm 159 engages with cavity 144 formed on upper lock bracket 141 sothat the disk conveyance plane is sealed. This causes disk lock arm 159to be inserted through the center hole of disk 101, thus preventing disk101 from coming out from disk holder 11. This locked state is shown inFIGS. 19 and 21.

[0105] Disk lock arm 159 pivots in the direction by which disk 101 isconveyed to disk holder 11. Thus, if disk driving mechanism 40 has notconveyed disk 101 completely to disk holder 11, disk lock arm 159 willpress against the edge of the center hole of disk 101 to move disk 101,thereby allowing disk 101 to be stored reliably in disk holder 11.

[0106] Mechanism chassis driving mechanism 86 causes mechanism chassis63 to move along guide groove 92 in the direction of the arrow G.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 6, mechanism chassis 63 is brought to a standbyposition where there is no overlap with disk 101 being held in diskholder 11. Next, in order to select disk holder 14, screw shaft drivingmechanism 82 rotates screw shaft 30 clockwise.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 1, screw shaft 30 rotates until disk holder 14is aligned with the disk conveyance plane. Then, slide plate drivingmechanism 85 moves first and second sliding plates 111 and 112.

[0109] Referring back to FIG. 1, disk driving mechanism 40 and guidemember 50 move to the standby position where a disk can be inserted.

[0110] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, when an 8 cm disk is loaded from theloading standby position shown in the figures, the insertion of the 8 cmdisk causes drive roller 41 to rotate clockwise. As described above,slide plate driving mechanism 85 moves first and second slide plates 111and 121. Then, the 8 cm disk is supported completely between diskdriving mechanism 40 and guide member 50, and slide volume 135 is keptat a fixed state for a predetermined time.

[0111] This static state of slide volume 135 allows the insertion of the8 cm disk to be detected. After detection, slide plate mechanism 85pulls first and second slide plates 111 and 121 so that they support the8 cm disk. As with the case of the 12 cm disk, the loading operation forthe 8 cm disk performed by drive rollers 41-44 is stopped when detectorswitches 56 and 57 are in the on state.

[0112] In this embodiment, disk holders 11-16 cannot hold 8 cm disks.Thus, when the loading of an 8 cm disk is detected, conveyance of the 8cm disk from the playback position to the disk storing position isprohibited.

[0113] In the embodiment described above, a plurality of drive rollersis used as the disk conveyance mechanism. However, the present inventionis not restricted to this, and it would be possible to us other drivingmeans as appropriate, e.g., a pair of pinch rollers having rotation axesparallel to the main plane of the disk.

[0114] Advantages of the Invention

[0115] In the device according to the present invention as describedabove, a connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward theend of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in whichthe disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks usingthree pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperaturescompared to integrally formed units.

[0116] Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect thepair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used.This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of thedevice and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to areduced depth dimension for the device.

[0117] Having described preferred embodiments of the invention withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that variouschanges and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in theart without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

13. A disk playback device equipped with a disk holding devicecomprising: first and second holder plates for supporting a disk edgealong an appropriate angular range; a connecting member connecting saidfirst and second holder plates at far ends of a direction of diskinsertion; and conveying means engaging with each of said first andsecond holder plates, thereby allowing said first and second holderplates to move perpendicular to a recording surface of said disk andparallel to each other.
 14. The disk playback device according to claim13 wherein said connecting member is a connecting bar extendingperpendicular to a direction of insertion of said disk toward said firstand second holder plates.
 15. A disk playback device equipped with adisk holding device comprising: a plurality of drive pulleys conveyingsaid disk between a disk insertion/removal position and a disk playbackposition by engaging with an edge of said disk; guiding means supportingsaid disk in cooperation with said plurality of drive pulleys; andpulley/guide driving means moving said plurality of drive pulleys andsaid guiding means close to and away from each other.
 16. The diskplayback device according to claim 15, wherein at least two of saidplurality of drive pulleys engage with said edge of said disk when saiddisk is brought to said disk playback position.
 17. The disk playbackdevice according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of drive pulleysare disposed roughly in a row along a conveyance direction of said disk.18. A disk playback device comprising: conveying means, for conveying adisk between an insertion/removal position and a playback position bysupporting an edge of said disk from either side; said conveying meansbeing movable away from said disk when said disk is being played back; aturntable rotating said disk; a damper clamping said disk to saidturntable; a clamp arm extending roughly perpendicular to said diskconveyance direction rotatably supporting said clamper; and said clamparm having a bend, whereby when said conveying means is moved-away fromsaid disk, at least a section of said clamp arm overlapping with saiddisk conveying means is separated by a greater distance than othersections of said clamp arm.
 19. The disk playback device according toclaim 18 further comprising: a damper interposed between said conveyingmeans and said clamp arm; said damper absorbing vibrations so that atleast when said disk is being played back, said disk conveying means andsaid clamp arm can move relative to each other.
 20. A disk playbackdevice, holding a plurality of disks and conveying a selected disk froma holding position to a playback position to play back said selecteddisk, comprising: first and second locking members passing throughcenter holes of said plurality of disks positioned at said holdingposition; a lock arm pivotably supported by one of said first and secondof locking members; and said lock arm pivoting to close a gap formedbetween said first and second locking members.
 21. The disk playbackdevice according to claim 20 further comprising: a pivot shaft of saidlock arm disposed parallel to a conveyance plane of said disk; and saidpivot shaft being perpendicular to a conveyance direction of said disk.22. A disk playback device comprising: first and second conveying meansfor conveying recording media supporting a recording medium from eitherside; said first and second conveying means conveying said recordingmedium inserted from a recording media insertion opening to apredetermined position; a driving mechanism, driving at least one ofsaid first and second conveying means so that said first and secondconveying means move close to and away from each other; detecting meansfor detecting a gap between said first and second conveying means whichis increased due to insertion of said recording medium between saidfirst and second conveying means; and controlling means for controllingsaid driving mechanism in response to said detecting means, whereby saidfirst and second conveying means move to increase a gap between saidfirst and second conveying means.
 23. The disk playback device accordingto claim 22 wherein: when said detecting means detects that said firstand second conveying means is supporting a maximum diameter of saidrecording medium, said controlling means controls said driving mechanismto drive said first and second conveying means in a direction where saidgap between said first and second conveying means is reduced.
 24. A diskplayback device comprising: a plurality of drive rollers conveying arecording medium inserted from a recording media insertion opening to apredetermined position; driving means for rotating said plurality ofdrive rollers; supporting means for movably supporting a single driveroller, belonging to said plurality of drive rollers, disposed towardsaid recording media insertion opening, relative to the remainder ofsaid plurality of drive rollers; and detecting means for detecting amovement of said single drive roller toward said recording mediainsertion opening accompanying insertion of said recording medium intosaid recording medium insertion opening.
 25. The disk playback deviceaccording to claim 24, wherein said drive rollers are arranged in a rowalong a direction of conveyance of said recording medium.
 26. A diskplayback device equipped with a disk conveying device comprising: aplurality of drive pulleys conveying a recording medium by abutting anedge of said recording medium; a guide member, disposed facing saidplurality of drive pulleys, supporting said edge of said recordingmedium wherein said recording medium is interposed between said guidemember and said plurality of drive pulleys; and a drive member, disposedroughly co-planar with a conveyance plane of said recording mediumconveyed by said plurality of drive pulleys, rotating said plurality ofdrive pulleys by abutting each of said plurality of drive pulleys.
 27. Adisk playback device as described in claim 24 wherein said drive memberis formed as an endless belt.
 28. The disk playback device according toclaim 26, wherein said plurality of drive pulleys are disposed along aconveyance path of said recording medium.